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Understanding EOB Terminology and Searching

Vendor Websites

Benefits Administration Training Team

Revised 2016

Basic Insurance Definitions

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This is the dollar amount typically considered payment-in-full by an insurance company and an associated network of healthcare providers. The Allowable Charge is typically a discounted rate rather than the actual charge.

Allowable Charge (Also referred to as the Allowed Amount, Approved Charge or Maximum Allowable)

Allowed Amount Example

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Scenario : The plan member visits the doctor for an earache. The total charge for the visit comes to $100.

If the doctor is an in-network provider, he or she is required to accept $80 (negotiated fee) as payment-in-full for the visit. This is the Allowable Charge. The remaining $20 is considered provider write-off, for which the plan member cannot be billed.

After the plan member pays the co-payment/or deductible/coinsurance, the health insurance plan will pay the remaining balance.

NOTE: If the doctor is an out-of-network provider then the plan member will be held responsible for the amount the health insurance company will not pay, up to the full charge of $100.

Doctor Visit for Earache

Cost of visit $100

Negotiated Fee

(Allowable Charge)

$80

Doctor Write Off $20

Basic Definitions - Continued

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Deductible

The amount the plan member owes for eligible healthcare services before the health insurance plan begins to pay.

Deductible Example

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Scenario: If the deductible is $1150, the plan won’t pay anything until the plan member has met the deductible for covered healthcare services.

NOTE: The deductible does not apply to all services.

Cost of Services $1350

Member Deductible Paid $1000

Amount covered for eligible healthcare services $350

Basic Definitions - Continued

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Co-insurance

The cost a member pays for a covered healthcare service. This cost is calculated as a percent of the allowed amount for the service (i.e. 80/20%). The member pays co-insurance plus any deductibles owed.

Co-insurance Example

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Scenario: If the allowed amount for an office visit is $100 and the plan member has met their deductible, the co-insurance payment of 20% would be $20. The health insurance plan pays the rest of the allowed amount.

Visit Allowed Amount $100

Member pays 20% after deductible is met $20

Health Insurance Plan pays 80% $80

Basic Definitions - Continued

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Participating Provider (Network Provider)

A provider who has a contract with the plan member’s health insurance carrier to provide services to the plan member at a discount.

Members should use participating (network) providers to receive maximum benefits under the plan.

Basic Definitions - Continued

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Non- Participating Provider (Non-Network Provider A provider who doesn’t have a contract with the health insurer or plan to provide services to the plan member.

The plan member will pay more to see a non-participating provider. A non-participating provider would be considered “out of network.”

Note: Although the plan allows reduced benefits for eligible care received from providers not participating in the network, the cost to the member could be substantial.

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Understanding Costs

Medical

Jane hasn’t reached her $1,500.00 deductible yet

Her plan doesn’t pay any of the costs.

Medical costs: $125.00

Jane pays: $125.00

Her plan pays: $0

Jane reached her $1,500.00 deductible, co-insurance begins

Jane has received multiple medical services and paid $1,500.00 in total. Her plan pays some of the costs for her next visit. Medical costs: $75.00 Jane pays: 20% of $75 = $15 Her plan pays: 80% of $75 = $60

Jane reaches her $3,900.00 out-of-pocket limit

Jane has received multiple medical services and paid $3,900.00 in total. Her plan pays the full cost of her covered healthcare services for the rest of the year. Medical costs: $200 Jane pays: $0 Her plan pays: $200

$3,900

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How to Find EOBs

on

BCBST.com

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Click Here to Log In or Register

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Next, Click Here

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Click here to view or print EOBs

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The plan member can adjust the dates to see all EOBs within a specific timeframe.

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Double click on the PDF file you want to view

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Looking at this sample EOB, the Allowed Amount is equal to the amount paid to the provider plus the Member’s copay.

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Another way to see the Allowed Amount would be to look at the claim.

Click here

Click the details

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A member enrolled in the CDHP who has not met their deductible, would pay this amount.

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How to Find EOBs

on

Cigna.com

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Click here to Login to www.myCigna.com

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Enter your User ID and Password or Register for an account

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Click either place to see the EOBs

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The plan member can change the time frame for the search.

Click on PDF to view a claim

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The Allowed Amount is calculated by subtracting the Discount from the Amount Billed. It is equal to what the plan paid in this scenario.

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Click here to access claims

Click details to see claim information. Click customize my view to see more detailed information regarding claims.

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The Covered Amount equals the Allowed Amount in this example. The plan member would pay this amount plus any Amount Not Covered (if the plan member saw an out-of-network provider) towards the deductible for the CDHP.

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How to Find EOBs

on

Caremark.com

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Login or register here

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Hover over Order Prescriptions and then select View Rx History

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Search by a specific date range here

View or Hide Cost Details

This is a medication that would still be covered at 100%

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This is a name brand medication. The plan member would pay what the Total Rx Cost under CDHP until deductible is met.

This is a name brand medication. You would pay what the Total Rx Cost under CDHP until deductible is met.

This is a generic medication. The plan member would still pay the Total Rx Cost for this medication until deductible is met.

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Questions?